Postgraduate Research

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PhD Chemistry 

The Chemistry PhD programme is focused on a major piece of original research. You will study under the direct supervision of a member of staff, who is an expert in his or her area of specialisation. The department offers a broad range of research themes across physical, organic, inorganic and computational chemistry, specific departmental strengths are listed under research areas below.

Read more on the Chemistry PhD programme 

A 4-Year PhD Case-Studentship in entitled ‘Identifying hydrocarbon deposits in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis catalysts: Friend or Foe?’ (D/L: 01/07/2025)   

Supervisors: Prof Andrew M. Beale (UCL)  
Application deadline: 1/07/2025  
Interview date:  week commencing 07/07/2025 
Start date: 1st October 2025
Location: Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Subject areas: Catalysts, Characterisation, Imaging, Performance testing 

The Studentship
This position is fully funded by a prestigious EPSRC-BP iCASE award awarded to UCL Chemistry. The student will be registered for a PhD at UCL although the project will be carried out at the Research Complex at Harwell on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. Close collaboration with BP will also enable time to be spent understanding how the project findings are translated into the field. The studentship will cover tuition fees at the home rate, and an annual stipend of no less than £24500, increasingly annually with inflation (tax free) pro rata in years 1 and 4. 

The project 
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from municipal solid waste (MSW) presents environmental and economic advantages but faces scalability challenges. Fulcrum BioEnergy’s new facility near Reno converts 175,000 tons of MSW annually into 11 million gallons of SAF, promoting a circular economy by diverting waste from landfills. However, concerns remain regarding the viability of waste-to-SAF technology.

Research on Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) catalysts is critical to optimizing SAF production. Solid catalysts, such as supported metal oxides and zeolites, are essential for e-fuel strategies. Understanding catalyst structure evolution under industrial conditions—high temperatures and pressures—is key to improving performance and reducing risks. In this project, operando Raman spectroscopy will be employed for real-time catalyst analysis, providing insights into active phases and in particular hydrocarbon intermediates. The information gleaned will be used for fine-tuning catalyst compositions and process conditions, enhancing efficiency and selectivity. Working alongside researchers from BP, this integrated advanced analytical approach will be used to support the rational design of next-generation catalysts, accelerating SAF production. Improved catalysts tailored for SAF synthesis could drive growth in this crucial sector, advancing sustainable aviation fuel development and helping to decarbonize the aviation industry.

The candidate 
The applicants should have, or be expecting to achieve, a first or upper second-class integrated masters degree (MSci, MChem, etc.) or 2:1 minimum BSc plus stand-alone Masters degree with at least a Merit in Chemistry or materials science. The successful applicant will demonstrate strong interest and self-motivation in the subject, good experimental practice and the ability to think analytically and creatively. Good computer skills, plus good presentation and writing skills in English, are required. Previous research experience in contributing to a collaborative interdisciplinary research environment is highly desirable but not necessary as training will be provided.

Interested candidates should initially contact the UCL supervisor andrew.beale@ucl.ac.uk with a degree transcript and a motivation letter expressing interest in the project. Informal inquiries are encouraged. Please note that a suitable applicant will first be required to complete MS Form entitled Application for Research: degree Chemistry programme. In addition, it is essential that suitable applicants complete an electronic application form at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/research-degrees/chemistry-mphil-phd (please select Research degree: Chemistry programme) prior to the application deadline and advise their referees to submit their references as soon as they possibly can. All shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview no more than 4 weeks after the application deadline. Any admissions queries should be directed to Dr Jadranka Butorac or Fahmida Yasmin via doctoral.chem@ucl.ac.uk

Applications are welcome from UK nationals, EU nationals with settled/pre-settled status and those with indefinite leave to remain or enter. Please note that the studentship only covers home fees. If you do not meet this requirement, please refrain from applying. The updated rules for eligibility for home fees for next year are available at View Website. 

A 3-Year PhD position in Studying Intermolecular Interactions in Metal-Organic Cages with Advanced Spectroscopies (D/L: 25/06/2025)   

The project

The project covers studying intermolecular interactions in metal-organic cages using optical and X-ray spectroscopies as well as NMR. Metal-organic cages are an exciting class of supramolecular structures with applications in a number of areas of chemistry, including catalysis and green chemical synthesis. The goal of the project will be to explore how novel spectroscopic techniques can be used to characterise the intermolecular interactions and understand host-guest binding in these systems.

The candidate 

The ideal candidate for this position will have a strong interest in interdisciplinary science and will be working closely with the groups of both Dr Rebecca Ingle and Dr Cally Haynes. The project will involve both synthesis of the cages as well as their characterisation. Please indicate on your cover letter whether you would be predominantly interested in a synthesis-focused or spectroscopy focused-project.  No previous knowledge of any of the spectroscopic techniques is required Enthusiasm and willingness to learn is key. The applicants should have, or be expecting to achieve, a first or upper second-class Honours degree or equivalent in subjects such as chemistry, physics or a related subject.

Interested candidates should initially contact the UCL supervisor r.ingle@ucl.ac.uk with a degree transcript and a motivation letter expressing interest in the project. Informal inquiries are encouraged. Please note that a suitable applicant will first be required to complete MS Form entitled Application for Research: degree Chemistry programme. In addition, it is essential that suitable applicants complete an electronic application form at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/research-degrees/chemistry-mphil-phd (please select Research degree: Chemistry programme) prior to the application deadline and advise their referees to submit their references as soon as they possibly can. All shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview no more than 4 weeks after the application deadline. Any admissions queries should be directed to Dr Jadranka Butorac or Fahmida Yasmin via doctoral.chem@ucl.ac.uk

Applications are welcome from UK nationals, EU nationals with settled/pre-settled status and those with indefinite leave to remain or enter. Please note that the studentship only covers home fees. If you do not meet this requirement, please refrain from applying. The updated rules for eligibility for home fees for next year are available at View Website.